A comparative study on the Bronze artifacts of among the Nyaunggan burial site Title and the burial sites of Samon Valley Author Dr. Aung Mon Issue Date 2014 A comparative study on the Bronze artifacts of among the Nyaunggan burial site and the burial sites of Samon Valley By Dr. Aung Mon1 Abstract In 1998, the evidence of Bronze Age was discovered at Nyaunggan village in Budalin Township near Monywar where produced a various collections of burial offerings which were included many bronze and stone implements. On the other hand the traces of late Bronze Age and early Iron Age were found along the Samon valley which origins freom Kyenikan lake near the Yemethin Township flows to the Kyauk-Se Township, since 1970s. But there are many differences and some similarities characters on both sites. By according to the archaeological finds, especially the Bronze artifacts, there are two different cultures had been flourished among them. Introduction The Age of metals started in the valleys of Nile, Euphartes and Tigris from about 6000 years ago. In the early phase the use of stone implements was gradually reported by copper ones. Both Copper and Stone tools were in use and this mixed culture is usually called 'Chalcolithic' Age. Then copper was used exclusively to make tools. Around 2300 B.C men discovered that an alloy made of 90% copper and 10% tin. This alloy is known as bronze and thus Bronze Age appeared. Some historical records from about the beginning of the third millennium B.C are available.2 Most of the countries around the world, classifications of the Prehistoric Culture, such as Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, were made according to the tools discovered. The earliest finds of Prehistoric celt from Bahmo Township was reported by J. Anderson in 1871. Another report about collection of Bronze Age spear-head and a socketed Bronze celt from Shan State was given by H. Balfour in 1901. As early as 1938, T.O Morris recorded that of the 14 coppers or bronze artifacts have been found in Myanmar; 7 are in the British Museum; 2 in the Pitts Rivers Museum, Oxford; 1 in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquates, Stockholm; 2 in the collection of a Mr. A.A Cameron of Kalaw Township; a 1 Lecturer (Head), Department of Archaeology, Mandalay University 2 Than Tun, jrefrmorkdif;yHk? (The Story of Myanmar History), Moneywe Offset, Yangon 2004,p-73 ( Hereafter cited as Than Tun, Myanmar History, 2004) fragments in the possession of villagers in Thayet Township and Lower Chindwin districts.1 Early days of Bronze Age research in Myanmar, discovering of the Bronze Age sites are extremely rare in Myanmar. Perhaps it is due to (1) the lack of through investigation (2) the quick decay of copper material, through oxidation and (3) the belief of the Myanmar people that the bronze tools known to them by the name of Kyemyogyo-thwar have some magic powers of cure.2 After the excavations of Taungthaman site in 1970s, near Amarapura Township in Mandalay Division, stone and iron objects were unearthed as the associated finds with the skeletal remains. Most of the scholars suggested that in central Myanmar the great technological shift was from stone-working to Iron-working study based on the two materials of Taungthaman Site. In 1998, a cemetery was excavated at Nyaunggan village in Budalin Township near Monywar where produced a various collections of burial offerings which were included many bronze and stone implements but absent of stone-mould for bronze casting. According to the archaeological theory, Archaeologists classified on the cultural status of prehistoric people who were user or producer, base on their technological process. After the discovery of Nyaunggan cemetery site, A Symposium has been made in Yangon, discussed about the cultural status and dating of Nyaunggan burial site. All scholars mentioned that this site is flourished in Bronze Age. But there are different suggestions among the scholars about the bronze implements of this site which are import or local made because of absent of crucibles and moulds for bronze tools. After that many burial sites were discovered along the Samon River valley. From these sites revealed the various funeral offerings which included ceremonial and ornamental artifacts made of stone, bronze and iron. Among these are axes, spears, bronze-wire packets and miniature bronze spears as well as bronze coffin's decorations. 1 Aung Thwin, "Origin and Development of the Field of Prehistory in Burma (Myanmar)", Asian Perspectives 40 (1)2001,p-27 (Hereafter cited as Aung Thwin, Asian Perspectives 40 (1)2001 2 Than Tun, Myanmar History, 2004,p-75 This area is situated at the south-western part of Nyaunggan Village, Buddlin Township, Monywa District, Sagaing Region. It is about 1.5 miles from Nyaunggan village (22 24' 40" N-Lat and 95 03' 28" E-Long). There are three major divisions can be recognized in the area; these divisions are; 1. Low-lying flat alluvial plain 2. Alluvial area with some small hillocks, and 3. Hilly area. These divisions are summarized as follows; (1)Low-lying flat alluvial plain: This division occurs in the eastern, southern and north-western parts of the region. It is characterized by the general elevation below 350 ft and much cultivated coverage. (2)Alluvial area with some small hillocks: It is widely distributed in the central and north-western parts of the regional area. General elevation is ranging from 350 ft to 450 ft. Naunggan burial ground is situated in this topographic division. (3)Hilly area: It occupies as the most distinctive topographic feature, which is characterized by the Twintaung volcanic cone and volcanic crater. Various types of volcanic rocks, tuff-layers, and ash beds are well exposed within the topographic division.1 There are two excavation made in this site. The first one was from 29 January to 18 March in 1998. The second season of digging at this site began on 16 December 1998.2 The largest was the southeast (SE, 8.2 x 24.3 m) where 23 burial features were identified. The majority of bronzes came from this pit. The other pits were of variable size, named in relation to their location on the cemetery spur: northwest (NW, 5.5 x10.7 m), middle (M, 703 x 12.1 m) and northeast (NE, 4.6 x 7.0 m). Four further pits (I-4,I-5,J-4 and J-5) were excavated in 1999 northwest of the 1998 pits.3 Many archaeological objects revealed during the excavation at Nyaunggan site. The major finds of excavation were human skeletal remains and associated with the potteries, some bonze implements, stone objects and some organic artifacts. In which one of the distinctive artifact was bronze implement. The total number of bronze tools found at Nyaunggan excavation site is eleven in number. These tools are various shape and size among them. They are 1 Phye Maung Than α Win Naing, “Geological observations on the Nyaunggan burial site”, Proceeding of the workshop on the Bronze Age culture in Myanmar, Yangon, UHRC, 1999, p-3-4 (Here after cited as Phye Maung Than α Win Naing, “Geological observations", 1999) 2 Pauk Pauk, “Excavation at Nyaunggan Bronze Age site”, Proceeding of the workshop on the Bronze Age culture in Myanmar, Yangon, UHRC,1999, p-27 3 Moore, Early Landscape of Myanmar, River Books, 1st publish, Thailand, Bangkok, 2007, p-90 (Here after cited as Moore, Early Landscape, 2007) 1. Two small socketed axes 2. Two medium socketed axes with round bottom 3. One large arrow-head 4. Four small arrow-head 5. One spear-head and 6. One halberd typed flared-edge axe.1 But some scholars mentioned about the bronze tools are 18 tools. Five tools were associated with pot-burials and four found on inhumation burials. The other nine were either from outside the pits or previously recovered by U Chit Hlaing. The halberd from burial M-5 is very similar to the first tool Chit Hlaing recalls finding. A third halberd has similar to those found in Halin. However, the shaft of the Halin halberd bears a finely made raised pattern of cross-hatching bordered by the lateral lines.2 The following table will show the sizes and weights of various types of Bronze-Age tools found at Nyaunggan excavation site.3 No Name of object length Breadth Weight 1 Small socketed axes(two) 2-inches 1.5-inches 18.22.gm to 27.96.gm 2 Medium socketed axes 3-inches 2-inches 83.48.gm (two) (round bottom type 3 Large arrow-head (one) 5-inches 1.5-inches 43.gm 4 Small arrow-head (four) 3-inches 1-inches 9.gm 5 Spear-head (one) 8-inches 1.6-inches 172.22.gm 6 Halberd type flared-edge axe 6-inches Edge-6- 222.52.gm (one) inches Of all the bronze tools, the one found at burial site No-M-5 is very peculiar which has a wide flaring edge. This type of tool is very uncommon in Myanmar. No bronze ornaments, moulds and crucibles were found during the excavation period and nearby the around this site. But recent Copper mines are still, situated across the Chindwin River, near this burial site and some ancient furnaces, unknown date, found along the river bank near Kyautmyet 1 Nyunt Han, “Archaeological finding at Nyaunggan Bronze Age site”, Proceeding of the workshop on the Bronze Age culture in Myanmar, Yangon, UHRC 1999, p-33-34 (Here after cited as Nyunt Han, “Archaeological finding at Nyaunggan Bronze Age site”, 1999) 2 Moore and Pauk, “Nyaunggan: A Preliminary Note on a Bronze Age Cemetery near Mandalay, Myanmar”, ASIAN perspectives, Vol 40, No-1, University of Haiwa I, U.S.A 2001, p-42 3 Nyunt Han, “Archaeological finding at Nyaunggan Bronze Age site”, 1999,p-34 village.1 But all scholars mentioned that this site is flourished in Bronze Age, absent in crucibles or moulds for the Bronze implements of this site.